Means for derailing tubs, trucks, and the like, in the event of their attaining an excessive speed



March 11, 1930. c. o. DEACON 1,749,803 MEANS FOR DERAILING TUBS, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ATTAINING AN EXCESSIVE SPEED Filed March 20, 1929 35 castings form or Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLIN OLIVER BEACON, OF WELGEDACHT, TRA NSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA MEANS Ton nEnnILnvG TUBS, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE, IN THE EVENT or THEIR ATTAINING AN EXCESSIVE SPEED Application filed March 20, 1929, Serial No. 348,581, and in the Union of South Africa October 5, 1928.

away down or along the track, or attaining an excessive or uncontrollable speed.

The invention is applicable for use on railway tracks of any description, for derailing, diverting, or throwing off the track, tubs,

10, trucks, or other railway vehicles or the like,

whether loaded or empty, which have acquired a predetermined excessive or uncontrollable speed on the permanent way or track.

The means according to this invention con- 2; stitutes a simple and efficient device for the purpose specified which, when the vehicles are running at or below the normal or a pre determined maximum speed, will allow them to remain on the track, and will operate, only 0 on such speed being exceeded, to derail the vehicle.

According to this invention the derailing device in one form consists of a definite setting in or sha ing of some or certain of the rails of the trac so as to impart to a portion or portions of the track a transverse or lateral kink or bend, with an upward grade or incline (relative to the level of the rails of the track) for a portion of the set or bend, in

I 3%) the direction of the travel of the vehicle along the permanent way.

In another form of the device, appropriately shaped pieces or castings are attached to the rails at the set or bend, which pieces or provide the upward grade or incline. y

In another embodiment of the invention, parts or castings, shaped to provide the set or bend and-the upward grade or incline, are

7 4o placed between the adjacent ends of adjacent rails of the track.

In a further construction the set or bend has a downward grade or inclination for a portion of its len h from each end, with an intermediate portion parallel to the track.

This set, or lateral kink or bend, causes the vehicle, to be deflected or diverted laterally from the normal direction of travel and to be returned to said normal direction when the vehicle, is running at normal or safe speeds. The set or bend, combined with the grade or incline, causes the vehicle, to be derailed when it acquires an excessive or uncontrollable speed, whereas, at normal or safe speeds, the vehicle passes over the device without being derailed. It will be understood fromthe foregoing that the construction of thedevice is such that the upper surface of the deflecting device rises (or falls) above (or below) the normal plane of the rails of the track from both ends of the device.

The invention will be more fully explained with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein I illustrate several practical embodiments of the same. In the drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 are plan view and side elevation, respectively, of a portion of the permanent way or track, showing one form of the invention, and

Figs. 3 and 4, Figs. 5 and 6, Figs. 7 and 8, Figs. 9 and 10, and Figs. 11 and 12, are similar views illustrating the several other forms of the invention.

In the particular embodiment of the inven tion depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the set or transverse or lateral bend or kink is formed in the rails 1, 2,0f the track themselves. Although the track is shown as a horizontal track it is to be understood that it may be either upwardly or downwardly inclined and still operate to derail the vehicle under the conditions mentioned. The rails-1, 2, are so arranged relative to each other that the sets or bends therein are symmetrical and incline in the direction of the same side of the track, so that the gauge is maintained for the full length of the derailing device.

3, 4, represent two of the sleepers of the permanent way or track, between which sleepers the set or bent portion of both rails 1, 2,

may, as shown, be positioned. Each of the rails 1, 2, as shown more particularly in Fig. 1, is bent laterally or transversely of the track from the point 5 to the point 6, and then in the opposite direction to the point 7.

8 indicates the top or highest points of the upwardly inclined portions 9 of the device. From the points 8 to the points 6 the portions 10 are bent downwardly, while the portions 11 from the points 6 to the points 7 are bent downwardly at a lesser angle to the horizontal than the portions 10-see Fig. 2. I

As a consideration of this embodiment of the. invention. willshow, the set orshaping of the rails 1, 2, is such that, in the eventof a vehicle passing on to the derailingdevice at an excessive speed, it is diverted or deflect ed transversely, and upwardly relative to the plane of the track, by the portions 9, and

tends to continue in the same direction,as indicated by the dotted lines a, due to its momentum. The action of gravity compels the wheels of the vehicle to travelor move in a curved'path or trajectory, asin'dicated by the dotted curve I) in Fig. 2. This causes the wheels to leave or jump clear of the rails 1, 2, thereby resulting in'the derailmentof the vehicle.

In the modification represented in Figs. 3

and 4, which'has the advantage that it will operate to derail vehicles travelling at an excessive speed in either-direction, the portions 9, 11, of the rails are of the/same, or of substantially the same length and similarly laterally and upwardly inclined but in opposite directions, so'that the highest points 8 are placed centrally of the device. The dotted lines 42 indicate the direction in which the vehicle is deflected at the one side of the 2, 2 of the track. The parts or castings are constructed to provide the portions 9, 10, 11, which are similar to the corresponding portions of the rails 1, 2, in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2'. The parts or castings are shown constructed with fianges'12 and they areconnected at their ends to their respective rails 1, 1 and 2, 2 ,,by means of the fish plates 13. The manner in whichthis construction operates to derail the vehicle is the same as with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

n the further form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and"8, the"rails 1, 2, of the track are constructed with a transverse set or-bend lateral set or bend similar to Fig. 3.

in the plane of the track, and appropriately shaped inclined pieces or members 14:,PI'01 viding the surfaces 9, and 11, and constructed with the set or bend corresponding to the set or bend in the rails, are fixed by means of screws 15 on the tops of the rails 1, 2. This construction also operates to derail the ve-' points 16 they are inclined further down-.

wards to the points 17 ,and from the points '17 to the points 18 they "lie in the planeof the rails 1, 2; the portions 16 to 18 being bent or set transversely of the track'see Fig. 9.

As the device is not transversely bent in two opposite directions as in the other constructions,the rails 1, 2, at. theone side of the device are put out'ozt alignment with the rails 1,2, at the other side. In this construction the vehicle is derailed by tending ;to j

- travel upwardly in a straight line, as indicatedby the dotted lines a, andisderailed owing to the wheels moving in a path or trajectory indicated by the dotted; curve B. j

Referring to the alternative construction" illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the rails 1, 2, are shown constructedwith the transverse or form each-set or bend}v has downwardly in- 'clined portions 19, 20, from each endot the device, with intermediate portions 21 paral; lel to, the planefoi the track. This embodinient will also operate to derail the vehicles whenmoving in either direction at an excessive speed. The dotted lines'a indicate the direction in which the vehicle tends to; travel due to its-momentum, and the dotted curves In this b the pathor trajectory of the wheels of the vehicle when being'derailed. I 'The iormSQfthe invention shownin Figs. 5, 6, Tand 8, andin Figs. 9 and 10, arethe subject matter of divisional applications. I

In allthe forms of the inventionshown in the] drawings the device is supported by sleepers, but it will be; apparent that it may be "otherwise supported, as. for example by arranging it upon a metal plate or'plates,.or on a cast base; orit may be 'cast or otherwise constructed integral with a base or base 1 portion. V i 1 It follows from the foregoing description that the device in its several forms asdescribed and illustrated, is entirely self-conliable to get out of order, as in existing are rangements employed for; f the i purpose.

' tained, and that there are no moving parts the existing arrangements, difficult to instal. It does not call for special attention, and does not require the amount of space which is necessary for the working parts of existing devices. My device, being of simple construction, is inexpensive to produce and cannot get out of order. It is light in weight and inexpensive to instal.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is l. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of which is constructed with a transverse or lateral set or bend and an incline co-operating with said set or bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, as set forth.-

2. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of each of the rails of which is constructed with a transverse or lateral set or bend and an incline co-operating withsaid setor bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, as set forth.

3. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of which is constructed with a transverse or lateral set or bend and an incline cooperating with said set or bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, said incline being formed in the transversely set or bent portion of the permanent way or track, as set forth.

4. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of which is constructed with a transverse or lateral set or bend and an incline cooperating with said set or bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, the transverse set or bend being formed by bending or shaping the set or bend in the one direction for a portion of its length and then in the opposite direction for the remaining portion ofits length, as set forth.

5. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of which is constructed with a transverse or lateral set or bend and an incline cooperating with said set or bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, said intrack, and the transverse set or bend being formed by bending or shaping the set or bend in the one direction for a portion of its length and then in the-opposite direction for the remaining portion of its length, theportion of the set or bend which runs in the one direction being upwardly inclined for a portion of its length and then downwardly inclined, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

COLIN OLIVER DEACON.

cline being formed in the transversely set v or bent portion of the permanent way or track, and the transverse set or bend being formed by bending or shaping the set or bend in the one direction for a portion of its length and then in the opposite direction for the remaining portion of its length, as set forth.

6. A railway permanent way or track, a portion of which is constructed with a trans I verse or lateral set or bend and an incline 00- operating with said set or bend, whereby the vehicles are derailed when they acquire an excessive or uncontrollable speed, said incline being formed in the transversely set or bent portion ofthe permanent way or 

